Multi-compartment carrying case for miniature electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A carrier having a major interior storage compartment and a series of smaller pouches attached thereto in juxtaposition to establish a symbol or character.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND STATE OF THE ART

With the proliferation of personal hand held electronic devices such as “smart phones,” electronic music players, electronic tablets, and the like, there has been a need to protect the various devices in a unique and attractive manner, preferably independently and in one carrier. An improved carrier for multiple small devices or the like is disclosed herein which includes a large major storage space for items such as “tablet-sized” devices and a series of selectively removable pouches for smaller devices. The pouches are arranged to establish a recognizable character or symbol.

Photographer's vests have been developed for carrying small photographic equipment, batteries, film, and the like. However, such vests have not provided removable pouches which cooperatively define a recognizable character or symbol.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While individual small cases for electronic devices are well known, as are removable sundry pouches for backpacks and other carriers, the present invention provides an aesthetic solution for independently protecting and carrying multiple electronic devices.

Briefly, the carrier of the invention includes a main or major carrier portion in the form of a briefcase, satchel, or backpack which may be opened and closed by a zipper to provide selective access to the interior into which a tablet and other gear may be stowed.

On an exterior wall of the major portion, a series of shaped, abutting miniaturized pouches are selectively attached by cooperating hooked/looped (Velcro®) fastening strips. Each pouch is specifically shaped to form a fractional part of a symbol or character. For example, for a cartoon character having a particular physiognomy, the uppermost pouch would have a specific head/ear(s) shape; a central pouch would have a specific torso shape; and the lowermost pouch would be feet-shaped. When abutted, the pouches would establish a three-dimensional shape. Importantly, each pouch contains a zipper closure for providing selective access to its interior for storing a small electronic device.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and a better appreciation of its attendant advantages, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the new carrier case with a major portion and multiple annexed pouches forming a sculptured figure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier case showing fastening strips for the removable pouches;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are front perspective views of the topmost, central, and lowermost pouches; and

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are rear perspective views of the topmost, central, and lowermost pouches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the carrying case 10 of the present invention includes a major carrier 11, such as a briefcase, school book bag, or small backpack, an adjustable carrying strap 12 connected by spring clips 15 to rings 13 disposed in tabs 14 sewn to the top of the carrier. The carrier 11 has front wall 20, rear wall 21, and a circumscribing wall therebetween, with a top wall portion 16, bottom wall portion 17, and opposite side wall portions 18. Access to the interior of the carrier 11 may be had by a zipper 22 in the wall.

In accordance with the invention, individual miniature pouches 30, 40, and 50 are selectively attached to the front wall 20 through hooked/looped (Velcro®) fastening tape strips 31, 41, and 51 (FIG. 2) sewn or adhesively secured thereto and corresponding fastening tape strips 32, 42, 52 sewn or adhesively secured to the pouches 30, 40, 50 (FIG. 8).

More specifically, each of the pouches 30, 40, 50 has a circumscribing side wall 33, 43, 53 disposed between front walls 34, 44, 54, and rear walls 35, 45, 55, and a selectively openable zipper closure 36, 46, 56.

In accordance with the principles of the invention, the pouches 30, 40, 50 may be juxtaposed in direct contact to establish a unified figure or symbol 60 such as a “mouse” character by way of illustration.

To that end, each of the pouches 30, 40, 50 has contoured side walls to contribute to the particular shape of the symbol 60. For example, the walls 33 form “mouse feet,” and the walls 45 form a “mouse torso.” The wall portions of each pouch 30, 40, 50 which actually abut one another (the bottom of pouch 30; the top and bottom of pouch 40; the top of pouch 50) are congruent as illustrated in FIG. 1. They are all horizontal planes in the illustrated example). The pouches may bear graphic material G (bow; polka dots; shoes) contributing to the ultimate symbol or character formed when the pouches are attached in juxtaposition.

Thus, it will be understood and appreciated that a new carrier is provided which is especially adapted and useful for storing n electronic tablet and other relatively large items in the major storage space 11 and for storing a series of smaller electronic devices or items in selectively removable pouches. In addition to being readily separable for independent usage, the pouches 30, 40, 50 combine, when attached in juxtaposition to the major storage case 11, to define a three-dimensional symbol or character, useful for promotional, identification, or other purposes.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An expandable carrier, including (a) a carrying case having walls defining a closed major storage space; (b) selectively openable first closure means disposed in at least one wall t provide access to said major storage space; (c) a series of first anchoring strips secured to an exterior surface of said case; (d) a series of shaped miniature carrying cases having minor storage spaces, each having a selectively openable second closure means providing access to said minor storage spaces; (e) a fastening strip secured to each of said miniature cases and adapted to selectively attach said shaped cases to said carrying case in predetermined, juxtaposed position; (f) said shaped cases being adapted, when juxtaposed and attached to said carrying case, to cooperatively establish a distinctive three-dimensional configuration.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, in which (a) said carrying case includes at least one detachable carrying strap.
 3. The carrier of claim 1, in which (a) said anchoring strips and said fastening strips are of hooked and looped configuration.
 4. The carrier of claim 1, in which (a) said shaped cases are formed as elements of a recognizable character or symbol. 